Discover The Filming location of Medici Magnificent Day 1: Arrival Pisa Airport
Meeting at Pisa airport with your driver and transfer to your historical mansion of Medici Family , situated among the hills and vineyards of Montalbano, in a dominant position on a hill which had already hosted a sacred area at the time of the Etruscans, the Medici Villa "La Ferdinanda" was built in 1596 at the behest of Grand Duke Ferdinando I de 'Medici, according to the project by Bernardo Buontalenti .
"I was today at Artimino and believe me Your Highness that I have found for you a Spring," the Grand Duke wrote to his wife Christine of Lorraine on January 19, 1596.
Even Leonardo da Vinci seems to have remained some time at this Villa: in fact in the old kitchen of the Grand Ducal Cellars the rotisserie he designed can still be admired. In the halls of the Villa, in the loggia and in the lovely chapel one can view well preserved frescoes contemporary with the structure, realizzed by the artist Domenico Cresti, known as Passignano and Bernardino Poccetti.
In the afternoon enjoy a visit at Artimino estate and Wine tasting
Overnight at Artimino estate**** Day 2: The Medici Villas
Buffet Breakfast.
Today is dedicated to discover the beauty of the Renaissance villas.
Meeting at the hotel with your personal driver transfer to The Medici Villas (half day)
The Medici Villas are an outstanding expression of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and all of them have something that will make your visit worthwhile. Just a few kilometres from Florence, The Medici Villa della Petraia was a refuge for the Medici family and still today, it fascinates visitors for its magnificent Italian garden encircling the villa and for its richly decorated interior, which still contains a good portion of its original furnishings.
The second stop is The Medici Villa di Castello in the hills of Florence, called the Villa Reale, Declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the magnificent villa has been the home of the Accademia della Crusca (it’s possible to visit just the garden)
Back at the hotel and time at leisure
Lunch/dinner: Independent
Overnight at Artimino estate**** Day 3: Florence
Buffet Breakfast at your hotel
Meeting at the hotel with your personal driver transfer to Florence.
Meeting your guide at San Lorenzo and immerself yourself in the history of this great dynasty . The tour starts with the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels. The behemoth basilica, although the original cathedral of Florence, is more commonly known today for being the eternal resting place of these financial fathers of the Renaissance. Next visit Santa Maria del Fiore, the Florentine Duomo. While the cathedral was built before the Medici, Lorenzo believed the family had earned the right to mark their territory even here with those good ol’ Medici balls. Lorenzo commissioned Andrea del Verrocchio, probably with the help of apprentice Leonardo da Vinci, to create a large Medici ball that he dropped directly atop the religious center of the city.
The final visit is Palazzo Medici (from external) is the residence of Cosimo il Vecchio, the honorary Pater Patriae and the founder of the Medici phenomenon. Under Cosimo, the family bank grew exponentially. Although his money put him in a position to take over the city in a hot second, he knew that discretion was the key to longevity in power. (car at disposal for transfer in & out– guide 3 hrs)
Afternoon to discover on your own the city
Lunch/dinner: Independent
Overnight at Artimino estate****
Day 4: Montepulciano & Pienza - Fonteverde
Buffet Breakfast at your hotel
Meeting at the hotel with your personal driver transfer to Montepulciano and let’s start to discover the shooting location.
The filming lasted 18 weeks especially between Rome and Florence where producers had the opportunity to shoot in historical sites as Palazzo Vecchio, Bargello Palace, the church of San Lorenzo, and inside the Duomo. Other shots were made in Pienza, Montepulciano, Pistoia, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico d’Orcia and the UNESCO site of Val d’Orcia.
Montepulciano is a hilltop town located in Siena and dates back to the Medieval and Renaissance period. This specific region of Tuscany is where the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano comes from. It is also the birthplace of scholar and poet, Agnolo Ambrogini a.k.a. Poliziano, who was the educator of Lorenzo the Magnificent’s children. The hilltop setting of Montepulciano was a strategic location and served as a lookout and military settlement during Ancient Roman times. Montepulciano has also been the filming location for The Twilight Saga. Next stop is Pienza in the fiction was used The Duomo and Palazzo Piccolomini as set location as background for Cosimo's wedding
Typical lunch with wine tasting.
Dinner : Independent
Overnight at Fonteverde Resort***** Day 5: Relax Fonteverde
Buffet Breakfast at your hotel
Full day at leisure at Fonteverde Resort
Lunch/dinner: Independent
Overnight at Fonteverde Resort***** Day 6: Fonteverde - Roma
Buffet Breakfast at your hotel
08.30Meeting at the hotel with your personal driver and transfer to Rome.
10.45 Private guided tour at Villa Medici (1.30 hours)
The Villa Medici is situated on Pincio Hill. This hill does not belong to the seven major Roman hills, because it is outside the pomoerium, the sacred wall of antique Rome. The journey starts with the description of the inner facade turned towards the gardens, with the Romans’ bas-relief, the refined copies of antique statues, Giambologna’s Mercury, the contemporary sculptures and the symbols linked to the Medici’s history. The guided tour includes the visit of the Cardinal’s apartment.The visit then proceeds through the Loggia, emblematic image of the Villa, and with the Bosco’s studio, depicted in a famous painting by Velasquez. The visit continues with the gypsotheque recently opened to the public and the fountain created by Balthus from casts of antique sculptures, the Niobides’ square.
Time at disposal for lunch (independent) Transfer to Fiumicino airport
BA Flights to London. Package price starting from £ 2710.00 per person.
The package includes:
•3nights in B/B Artimino estate •2 nights in B/B at Fonteverde Resort •Private guided tour 2 hours Villa La Petraia and garden of Villa Castello •Private guided tour 3 hours in Florence (entrance tickets not included) •Private guided tour 3 hours Montepulciano and Pienza •Private guided tour of Villa Medici in Rome (entrance tickets included) •Private transfer as per program •1 wine tasting/lunch Tenuta Artimino (3 dishes ¼ wine and ½ water per person) •1 wine tasting/lunch Pienza (3 dishes ¼ wine and ½ water per person) •BA Return Flights from London
The price is net and based on 2 participants
The package doesn’t include: •Visit and entrance fees not mentioned in the program; •Meals; •City tax in hotel; •All items not mentioned in “the package includes”.